When head coach Sean Chambers threw down the challenge for leadership, Jorick Bautista and Janrey Pasaol didn’t flinch as the FEU backcout delivered to end round 1 of UAAP Season 88.
After tough start to season, the FEU Tamaraws may have found a spark to light up the rest of their way.
With Jorick Bautista and Janrey Pasaol steering the ship, the Tamaraws are entering the second round of UAAP Season 88 with renewed confidence and a sense of purpose—seemingly finding their rhythm after a shaky start.
The fiery backcourt tandem powered FEU to a convincing 95-76 victory over the UE Red Warriors, marking their most complete performance of the season so far.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: FEU Tamaraws end first round strong with big win over UE]
Bautista led the charge with a season-best 22 points, setting the tone for a balanced FEU attack that saw its starters (76) match UE’s scoring total.
Pasaol, meanwhile, orchestrated the masterful offense with 17 points and 10 assists, his second double-double of the year.
Now at 2-5, the Tamaraws remain at seventh in the standings, but the big win to close the round hints at a team slowly finding their identity.
Up to the task
Following his breakout performance, Bautista said his resurgence stemmed from a challenge posed by head coach Sean Chambers—one that he and Pasaol took to heart.
“Focus kami kung anong meron kami ngayon. Sa training, doon kami nagsisimula,” Bautista shared.
FEU's Jorick Baustista in action against UE in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball. | Photo: The UAAP
He added: “’Yung pinag-usapan namin ni coach Sean [Chambers] ay sa amin na lang ‘yun. Tinake talaga namin ni Janrey [Pasaol] ‘yun seriously.”
Against UE, the duo set the tone early and on both ends as the Tamaraws recorded their highest scoring output while clamping down on the Red Warriors.
“Kailangan daw naming i-lead ‘yung team, at nag-usap kami ni Janrey na ‘yun talaga ang pagtatrabahuhan namin,” Bautista added.
Pasaol, who also tallied two steals and two blocks, emphasized that the team’s turnaround started not with offense—but with defense.
“Nung La Salle game talaga nag-start. Maganda na ‘yung ipinapakita namin pero lagi kaming kinakapos sa endgame,” he said.
Janrey Pasaol of FEU shoots over UE's Thirdy Malaga | Photo: The UAAP
He ended: “Nag-usap kami na kailangan talaga naming dumepensa sa endgame since hindi naman kami makapagsabayan sa ibang schools kasi sobrang talented nila.”
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.